Teachers of the Year Program
The Marietta City Schools (MCS) Teachers of the Year (TOTY), are educational ambassadors, and act as advocates for the school system, its students, and its teachers. These teachers are exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled.
These are teachers who
- Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.
- Have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues.
- Play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school.
2013 System Teacher of the Year
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Marietta High School – David DuBose David DuBose is a music teacher at Marietta High School. He earned an undergraduate degree in Music Education at Auburn University, and a Master in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. His desire to teach, lead, influence and encourage others to succeed came from his experiences as an Eagle Scout, and as a drum major with the marching band in high school and college. |
2012-2013 Teachers of the Year
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A.L. Burruss – Shannon Burch Shannon Burch is a graduate of Western Carolina University. She realized she wanted to be a teacher through volunteer experiences with the Special Olympics and Future Teachers of America. Shannon has taught at MCS since 2002. She is currently a third grade teacher at A.L. Burruss Elementary. |
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Dunleith Elementary – Lori Haakerson Lori Haakerson's parents were high school teachers. She studied early childhood education at Arkansas State University before completing a graduate degree at Kennesaw State University and a Specialist degree at Lincoln Memorial University. Lori has been in education for over 20 years and has a reading and ESOL endorsement. |
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Hickory Hills Elementary – Patricia Moran Patricia Moran obtained her undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of Dayton and earned a Master's degree in special education from George Washington University. Patricia has provided many training sessions on Autism Spectrum Disorders and has represented MCS at the Atlanta Metro Autism Association. She joined Marietta City Schools in 2003. |
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Lockheed Elementary – Noura Soued Noura Soued is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and a second grade teacher at Lockheed Elementary. Noura became a teacher after leaving the business world and volunteering in her son's classroom and tutoring students in reading. She was awarded the Appreciation Grant by Office Max in 2011. |
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Park Street Elementary – Sharon Worley Sharon Worley is a National Board Certified Teacher, and a graduate of Fayetteville State University where she earned an undergraduate and graduate degree in education. She also holds a Specialist degree from Central Michigan University. Her inspiration for becoming a teacher is older sister who would share her student teaching stories with Sharon while in college. |
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Sawyer Road Elementary – Susan Pleak Susan Pleak became a teacher after her husband suggested she take an introduction to education class. After observing a room of first graders she was hooked! A graduate of Kennesaw State University, Susan's greatest accomplishment is setting up a Science Lab room and nature trail that helps students explore their curiosity of science. |
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West Side Elementary – Cynthia Westlake Cynthia Westlake earned a Masters in curriculum and education from Lesley University in Massachusetts. After becoming involved in her son's preschool, teaching became a second career. She enjoys having her students connect to the world of science. |
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Marietta Center for Advanced Academics – Kara Householder Kara Householder is a graduate of Georgia Southern University. She joined the Teach for America program and gained hands-on experience while working on her Master's degree in education and earning her teaching certification. While at MCAA, she developed an EnviroDesign STEM course that includes ecology, art, marketing, math, science and engineering for fourth graders. |
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Marietta Sixth Grade Academy – Matthew Forrester Matthew Forrester is a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy. He earned both his undergraduate and Master in Education at the University of Tennessee. He also earned a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the State University of West Georgia. His parents are both educators and he believes his vision for his students unfolds one day at a time. |
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Marietta Middle School – Justin Waller Justin Waller pursued an education degree at Kennesaw State University after realizing he wanted to do more for his community. His love of the environment led him to become a science teacher. Among his accomplishments are the construction of an outdoor classroom which includes two greenhouses, a rose garden, benches and two flower boxes, and leading a "Go Green" club that picks up recyclable materials at least twice a week. |
